Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3,692, John Foster, Conn.

SERVICE
bonn.
Foster John Prueila
NUMBER
R. 3,692
CONTENTS
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[Blank lined area for contents]

4.287 ✓
Connecticut Roll
✓ John Foster Col. Wyllys Private - 4
Connecticut Line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut — at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 8 th of April 1818 —
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th of Nov r 1818 and sent to Pierpont Edwards Esq r Judge Bridgeport —
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1818. 4m s  \frac{27}{30} — 39:20
Semi-ann. all ce ending 4 th March 1819 — 48: —
6 years
$ 87:20
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
War
Reading, Fairfield Co
Reading
Connecticut
Notification sent October 4 th 1820 to David Bury, Springfield, Conn.

John Foster no

District of Connecticut ss
On the 8 day of April A D 1898 John Foster of Redding in said District under oath before Pierpont Edward District Judge of the United States for the District of Connecticut in which District the Declarant now resides and from since the end of the war of the Revolution hath resided that in the month of February in the year seventeen hundred & seventy seven, the declarant enlisted into the service of the United States as a private in Captain. Barrands Company of Colonel Laurens Wyllys Regiment in the Connecticut line on the continental establishment of the armies of the United States in the war of the Revolution for the term of the continuance of said war and that the Declarant faithfully served the United States as a soldier in said line on said establishment of said armies in said war against their enemies from the time of his said enlistment until the end of said war when he was from said service honorably discharged by a Discharge under the hand of General George Washington which Discharge the Declarant hath by time and accident lost
And the Declarant further maketh oath that he now is and ever since the Declaration of Independence hath been a resident citizen of the United States and that his circumstances in life by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he is in need of assistance from his country for his support.
John Foster District of Connecticut ss April 8 th A D 1898 the afore named John Foster came before me in my presence and subscribed the above said declaration & made oath that the same is true Pierpont Edward District Judge of the District

District of Connecticut ss
On this 8 day of April A D 1818 before me Purport Edwards District Judge of the United States for the District of Connecticut came Captain Benjamin Meeker of Redding in said District who being duly sworn doth depose & say that he well knows that in the winter of sixteen hundred & seventy eight & seventy nine when Gen- eral Putnam's Brigade in the army of the United States was at said Redding the Continental establishment was in camp near from the month of November 1778 to May 1779 the above named Declarant John Foster was a soldier in said Brigade then in the hospital where he continued until some time after the encampment was broken up taking care of the sick The Declarant further than deposes & states that the said John Foster is now and for more than twenty years last past has been a resident citizen of the United States and that by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he is in need of assistance from his country for his support
Benj a Meeker
April 8 th A D 1818 sworn before me
Richard Edwards
District Judge of the District of Connecticut

District and State of County. ss.
Be It Remembered, That in the County Court, held in and for the County of Fairfield in the District and State aforesaid, on this 19 th day of July 1820 the same being a Court of Record, and having a seal, under the Authority of said State, personally came and appeared in open Court, John Foster aged Sixty five years, resident in the Town of Reading in the County of Fairfield in said State, and being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his Oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows: as a private in the Regiment of the Connecticut line commanded by Col d  Samuel  Wyllis  Wyllis & in Capt. Barnard's Company from the year 1777 to the end of s d war being six year service therein — that the original Declaration made by him, for the purpose of obtaining a Pension, under the Act of Congress of the 18 th of March, 1818, was dated the 8 th day of April 1818 that in pursuance thereof he was entered in the List of Pensioners, and received a Pension certificate No. 4.287 And I do further solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March March, 1818, and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval Service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18 th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person, in trust, for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereunto annexed, and by me subscribed. And I do further declare that my occupation was that of a Day labourer, when I was able to work, but am unable to labour but a very little part of the time — and that I have a family residing with me — consisting of a wife Prue lla about my own age, both of us infirm and unable to labour —

all which is subscribed by me the day and year of  in aforesaid— John Foster. — Sworn to and declared in the Court aforesaid. Whereupon said Court is, on satisfactory proof exhibited in Court, of opinion that the total total amount in value of the property, contained in the aforesaid Schedule, is two dollars and seventy four cents, and doth order these proceedings to be entered in the records of said Court.
Attest David Burr Clerk
State of Connecticut, ss.
I DAVID BURR. Clerk of the County Court for the County of Fairfield, in the said State, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and schedule thereto annexed are true copies from the records of the said Court, and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule of John
Foster is two _____ Dollars seventy four cents
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at
Fairfield, this 19- day of July ————— 1820.
David Burr
Clerk of the County Court for said County of Fairfield.
District and State of Connecticut, ss. Fairfield July 19. 1820
I ROBERT FAIRCHILD, Chief Judge of the County Court for the County of Fairfield, in said State, do certify that DAVID BURR, Esq. is the Clerk of said Court, duly appointed and sworn; and that the said Court is a Court of record, made so by the statute laws of said State; that it proceeds according to the course of the common law, has a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, with the power of fine and imprisonment, and keeps a record of its proceedings.
Robert Fairchild
Chief Judge of the County Court for the County of Fairfield.

John Foster
27
Exp 2
4.207
March 1899
con.

At a County Court, held in and for the County of Fairfield, in the District District and State of Connecticut, on the 19 th day of July 1820 the same being a Court of Record, and having a Seal, by virtue of the Laws of said State.
Personally Appeared, in open Court, John Foster a resident in the Town of Redding in the County of Fairfield in said State, and exhibited and subscribed the following Schedule, and made solemn Oath that the same is a true and perfect Schedule of all his income and property, necessary cloathing and bedding excepted, viz.
1 Table 1.00 3 old Chairs 50 cts. Iron Pot 50 cts. — $ 2.00
Water Pail 25 cts. 6 Plates 18 cts. old Chest 25 cts. — 0.68
3 knives and 2 forks 6 cts. ————— 0.06 $ 2.74
John Foster

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss.
on this 29 th day of
September 1838, personally appeared before the Court of Probate within and for the District of Danbury in the said County and State, the same being a Court of Record. Prudence Foster a resident of Reading in said County, age of Seventy nine years, who, being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4, 1836. That she is the widow of John Foster, who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution. That in the month of February 1777, he enlisted for during the war, as a Private soldier, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel Willys, and in Captain Barnard's Company, and thereafter remained until the end of the war, when he was discharged. That he is now placed on the Pension list under the law of the 18 th of March 1818 at the rate of eight dollars per month, and con- tinues to receive said Pension until his death, and for proof of his services she refers to his declaration and papers on file in the Department of War. The said Regiment was in the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army. She further declares that she was married to the said John Foster in the month of May one thousand seven hundred and Eighty two, and that her husband the said John Foster died on the 29 th day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty three and that she has remained a widow since that he died, & will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. She does not recollect the day of her said marriage but it took place in the month & year above stated. known to and subscribed on the day and year above written before the Court of Probate aforesaid -
Prudence Foster mark

State of Connecticut. Hampden County Probate District of Danbury, ss.
On this 29th day of September 1838, before the board of Probate written and for the District of Danbury aforesaid, the above named Pamela Hoste made and acknowledged the foregoing declaration, and made oath to the same in open court. And I Gilead G. Taylor, Clerk of said board, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said board, in the matter of the application of said Pamela Hoste for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 29th day of September 1838.
Gilead G. Taylor Clerk

I Edward Tinker of Danbury in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Danbury, do hereby certify that Gilead G. Taylor Esq. who hath certified the foregoing proceedings of said Court is the Clerk of said Court duly appointed and sworn, and that the signatures subscribed to the said proceedings and the annexed deposition are in the proper handwriting of the said Gilead G. Taylor.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 29 th day of September 1838
Edward Tinker Judge.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
R.F. 1692
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Foster a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Feb. 1777. 6 yrs. Pvt. Barnard Samuel Hillyer Conn                                     
Battles engaged in, none stated Residence of soldier at enlistment, not stated Date of application for pension, Apr. 8. 1818. H. was al. Residence at date of application, Redding Conn. Age at date of application, 63 years.
Remarks: He was in May 1782 at South East N.Y. Pucella and died Dec. 29. 1833. She was a resident of Redding Conn. in 1838 aged 79 years. A large family of children are referred to but no names are stated.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
you can omit that her claim was not allowed as the real objection was that she would not furnish record proof of service prior to her leaving the service

Conn V 2611
Prunella Foster Supt
Act 4 July '36. Han.
7.7. Whittier 29 Dec '38
3692

Examnd with Orig. Keolle Aug. 1883 Mts.
1890 June 9 Henry Hall (History) Prior
Sept. 28, 1905: Dist. to Joel F. Belleck, West Redding, Conn. Later in Wid. File 19843 & M
1920 Feb. 17 Dist. to Henry C. Tobey Later in S. 13047 John Fader
3692
P. O. _____
Priscilla Foster
Service: widow of John
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: Printed list of 1852- gives cause of suspension as follows: Suspended for further proof of the date of the marriage proof of service admitted.
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Stanbury 6 th Oct. 17 th 1838
Hon. James L. Edwards Commr. of Pensions
Sir - I have the honor herewith to transmit to you the application of Priscilla Hester for a Pension - and to request that you will soon communicate to me your decision thereon, addressed to me, at this place - Very Respectfully Your obedt Servt. Reuben Booth

Dept of War Pension Office Nov 2 1838
Sir
I have examined the claim of Mrs Priscilla Foster, widow of John Foster, and have placed her papers upon our files.
The rolls in the Office show that her late husband enlisted for the war, and that he was discharged or paid in Jan y 1. 1785.
The widow alleges that she was married in the year 1782. Of this fact the proof is unsatisfactory. Record evidence should be furnished if to be found. If no record of the marriage exists, perhaps a family register, or a record of the births of their children may be found. From the statement of Mrs Foster, it would seem that she was married about 7 months before her husband left the army. The

slaves property will remain: suspended until further proof in support of the date of the mortgage is furnished.
I have the honor
Dear J. J. Whittier Dec 29 1838 JB
Hon. J. J. Whittier A R
OC July 4 1836 2990 No 2611

John Foster, private, Connecticut line, 8 th April, 1818.
Admitted on Count. roll
Pierpont Edwards, Esq., Judge, Bridgeport, Fairfield Co. Connecticut.
Rec d . 27. May, 1818.

In Boston
The
Honorable John C. Calhoun
Secretary of the Department of War
Washington

I Pierpont Edwards District Judge of the District of Connecticut, do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that John Foster who made & subscribed the declaration contained in the annexed Schedule did serve in the Revolutionary war against the common Enemy as stated in his said declaration & I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me in his case to the Secretary of the department of War pursuant to an Act of Congress in such case made & provided said proceedings & testimony are contained in the annexed Schedule May 20 th 1818 Richard Edwards

State of New York } Westchester County } ss
On the twentieth day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight before me Thomas Mead a justice of the peace in the town of South Salem in the County aforesaid personally came Mary Minas of the town of Poundridge in said County and being by me sworn in due form of law did depose and say that according to the best of her recollection she is sixty seven years of age that she resided in the town of South East in the County of Putnam and state aforesaid for more than sixty years. The deponent further says that she is well acquainted with Truella Foster widow of John Foster late of the town of Reading in the County of Fairfield and state of Connecticut deceased and that the deponent was present at the time they were married which marriage was solemnized by Mr Kettleback a Presbyterian minister then residing at said South East. The deponent further says that the said marriage was solemnized at the town of South East aforesaid the precise year she deponent does not remember but it was in the summer season in May or June and near the close of the Revolutionary war as deponent believes — and further deponent saith not.
her Mary Minas
Sworn and subscribed this 20 th day of September 1838 before me
Thomas Mead justice of the peace
I do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Mary Minas the above deponent and that she is a person of truth and veracity. Thomas Mead justice of the peace

State of New York County of Westchester ss.
I John H. Smith Clerk of the said County. Do hereby Certify. That Thomas Mead before whom the within and foregoing Affidavit of Mary Wines purports to have been taken was on the date of taking the said Affidavit a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County Commissioned and Sworn and duly authorized to take the same. And further that I am well acquainted with the hand-writing of the said Thomas Mead and readily believe the fore- going signature to the Inset and Certificate of char- acter purporting to be his an genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said County the 28 th day of September 1838
John H. Smith Clerk

Isaac Meeker of Reading in the County of Fairfield aged Seventy years, being duly sworn, doth depose and say, that he well knew John Foster and Phebe Foster his wife more than thirty years. That they lived for more than thirty years previous to the death of said John Foster in the neighborhood of the Deposition. and had a large family of children. Some of their children, born before they came to Reading are between fifty and sixty years of age. During all the time the Deposition knew them from the time of the death of said John, they lived together as husband and wife.
Said John Foster died in the month of December 1833, and said Phebe has never been married since his death. Said John received a Pension in the year 1818 for Revolutionary services, which was paid to him until his death as aforesaid. Isaac Meeker.
State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss. Probate District of Litchfield ss.
on this 29 th day of
September 1838 before the Court of Probate within and for said District personally appeared Isaac Meeker, well known to the Court to be a person of good character for truth, and a credible witness, and subscribed the foregoing Deposition; and being duly sworn made solemn oath to the truth of the same Gilead H. Taylor Clerk

State of New York Dutnam County } ss
I William H Stoot Clerk of the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Ebenezer Foster Esq m before whom the annexed affidavits were taken and whose name is thereon written was at the time of taking such affidavits a Judge in and for the County aforesaid residing in said County and duly authorized and qualified to take the same and further I certify that William H Stoot before whom the annexed affidavits were taken and whose name is thereon written was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County re- siding in said County duly authorized & qualified to take the same and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Judge and Justice of the Peace and verily believe that their signatures as appear to the annexed affidavits are genuine —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix- ed the Seal of said County this 26 day of September 1838
W H Stoot Clerk

State of New York Putnam County ss
On the twenty sixth day of September One thousand eight hundred and thirty eight before me personally came Aaron Hains who being duly sworn did depose and say that he is seventy seven years of age that he has always resi- ded in the said town of Southport - and this deponent further says that he knew John Fortin and Prudence his wife that they resided in the town of Southport in said county in the woolen business way as man and wife and verily believing that they were married never receiving it - Wherefore further this deponent says not
Sworn & Subscribed to this 26 day of September 1838 before me
Aaron Hains
W H Stout Justice of the Peace for the County of Putnam
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Aaron Hains and do also certify that he is entitled to the fullest credit and belief
W H Stout

Putnam County { State of New York}
On the twenty sixth day of September One thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before me William H Stout Justice of the Peace in and for said County Elizabeth Leam who being duly sworn doth depose and say that she resides in the town of Southeast in said County that she is eighty years of age - This deponent further says that she knew John Firth and Priscilla his wife that they resided in the town of Southeast in said County as man and wife before the close of the revolutionary war and that they had children and no doubt were ever entertained to my knowledge but they were mar- ried as it was so reported - The deponent further says that she knew the Reverend Mr. Pettibone by whom before her  it was said it was said that said John Firth was married to the said Priscilla - And further this deponent saith Not
Sworn and subscribed to this 26 th day of September 1838 before me
Elizabeth Leam mark
W H Stout Justice of the Peace
I certify that I am well acquainted with above named Elizabeth Leam and do also certify that she is entitled to the full and exact and belief
W H Stout

State of New York Putnam County
On the twenty sixth day of September One thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before me William H Sloat a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Putnam Sedadiah Wood who being duly sworn did depose and say that he resides in the Town of Southtown in the County of Putnam aforesaid and that he is sixty years of age -
This deponent further says that he knew John Fortier and Priscilla his wife that they resided in the Town of Southtown in said County as man and wife before the close of the revolu- tionary war, and that they had children and lived together as man and wife, and no doubt was ever entertained to my knowledge but they were married and never heard of divorced but they were married and further this deponent saith not -
Sedadiah Wood
Sworn and subscribed to this 26 th day of September 1838 before me W H Sloat Justice.
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Sedadiah Wood and do also certify that he is entitled to the full and unqualified
W H Sloat

V 26 11 Pruella Foster wid of John Conner Ad July 4, 1836

State of New York Putnam County } ss.
On the Twelfth day of September in the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight before me Ebenezer Foster one of the Judges of Putnam County courts personally came Bethia Crane of the Town of Southworth in said County Who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say that she is now Eighty six Years of age past and has resided in said Town during her  her life and she deponent further says that she was well acquainted with Priscilla Foster widow of John Foster late of the Town of Reading in the County of Fairfield State of Connecticut deceased and was has a perfect recollection of their living together as man and wife during the revolutionary war and had not the least doubt & has no recollection of ever hearing of its being doubted but what they were legally married. The deponent further says that they had a family of Children and for some years lived in the same Neighborhood. The deponent further says that the said John Foster and Priscilla his wife did reside and live together as man and wife before the the commencement of the revolutionary war. The deponent further saith not. Signed sealed the day and year Bethia Crane first above written mark.
Ebenezer Foster { one of the Judges of Putnam County courts. Sworn & subscribed this 12th day of September AD 1838
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Bethia Crane and do also certify that she is entitled to the fullest credit and belief.
Ebenezer Foster

State of New York Putnam County ss.
On the Twelfth day of September in the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight personally before me Edward Foster Edward Foster one of the Judges of Putnam County Courts came Isaac Paddock of the Town of Southeast in said County of Putnam who being duly sworn according to Law says that he is Now Twenty seven Years of age & that he has resided in said Town of Southeast during his whole life The deponent further says that he was well acquainted with John Foster late of the Town of Redding in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut and also with Priscilla his wife during the revolutionary War living in the same neighbourhood The deponent further saith that he knew that the said John Foster and Priscilla did live reside together as man and wife before the close of the war and had a family of children and no doubt was ever entertained to my knowledge but that they were lawfully married. The deponent further says that he was ac- quainted with a Presbyterian Minister by the name of Nottolath who resided in said Southeast during the revolutionary War - who as he believes was the Man who married the said John Foster to the said Priscilla - from the best of knowledge & belief -
Given sealed the day and Year above written -
The intimation was made before signing that is to say "before the close of the war"
Isaac Paddock
Sworn and subscribed this 12th day September in the Year 1838
Edward Foster one of the Judges of Putnam County Courts
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Isaac Paddock and do also certify that he is entitled to the fullest credit and belief -
Edw. Foster